The Saint Maker Series: Daily Lent Meditations from the Works of St. Alphonsus

By St Alphonsus Liguori

We are calling this 'the saint maker series' because everyone that has read it has developed a greater love and devotion to Our Lord than they had before. The morning mediation is to be done sometime in the morning. The evening in the evening and the spiritual reading section either midday or whenever pos

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sensus Fidelium Press
• Release date: Dec 27, 2023
• ISBN: 9798869087997

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The Saint Maker Series

Daily Lent Meditations from the Works of St. Alphonsus

St. Alphonsus Liguori

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Copyright © 2023 Sensus Fidelium Press

All rights reserved.

Originally published by R. Washbourne, London and M. H. Gill & Son, Dublin, Ireland. The Sensus Fidelium Press edition has been retypeset, updated spelling & language. No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher.

ISBN: 978-1-962639-37-8

For more information, please visit sensusfideliumpress.com

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Daily Prayers

Morning and Evening Prayers

LATIN RITE PRAYERS

Morning Offering

O JESUS, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer Thee my prayers, works, joys and sufferings of this day for all the intentions of Thy Sacred Heart, in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world, in reparation for my sins, for the intentions of all our Associates and in particular for the intention of the Apostleship of Prayer.

Act of Faith

O MY God, I firmly believe that Thou art one God in Three Divine Persons, Father, Son and Holy Ghost. I believe that Thy Divine Son became man, and died for our sins, and that He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe these and all the truths which the Holy Catholic Church teaches, because Thou hast revealed them, Who canst neither deceive nor be deceived.

Act of Hope

O MY God, relying on Thy almighty power and infinite mercy and promises, I hope to obtain pardon of my sins, the help of Thy grace, and life everlasting, through the merits of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Redeemer.

Act of Charity

O MY God, I love Thee above all things, with my whole heart and soul, because Thou art all-good and worthy of all love. I love my neighbour as myself for the love of Thee. I forgive all who have injured me, and ask pardon of all whom I have injured.

Prayers for the Day Ahead

Grace at Meals

Before:

BLESS us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

After:

WE give Thee thanks, O almighty God, for all Thy mercies. Who livest and reignest forever and ever. Amen.

Act of Spiritual Communion

My Jesus, I believe that Thou art present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love Thee above all things, and I desire to receive Thee into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive Thee sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace Thee as if Thou wert already there and unite myself wholly to Thee. Never permit me to be separated from Thee. Amen.

BYZANTINE PRAYERS

OPENING PRAYERS

In the Name of the Father, + and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Glory be to You, O God; glory be to You.

O Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, You are everywhere present and fill all things. Treasury of Blessings and Giver of Life, come and dwell within us, cleanse us of all stain, and save our souls, O gracious Lord.

Holy God, + Holy and Mighty, Holy and Immortal, have mercy on us. (3 times)

Glory be to the Father, + and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever. Amen.

O Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us; O Lord, cleanse us of our sins; O Master, forgive our transgressions; O Holy One, come to us and heal our infirmities for Your Name's sake.

Lord, have mercy. (3 times)

Glory be to the Father, + and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.

Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, Father, + Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever and, forever. Amen.

MORNING PRAYERS

Awakening from sleep, I worship You, O blessed God; and offer the Angelic Hymn to You, O powerful Lord: Holy, holy, holy are You, O God! Through the intercession of Your Heavenly Hosts, have mercy on me.

Glory be to the Father, + and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit:

O Lord, You have lifted me up from my bed and from sleep; now enlighten my mind, open my heart and my lips that I may sing to You, O Holy Trinity: Holy, holy, holy are You, O God! Through the prayers of all Your Saints, have mercy on me.

Now and ever, and forever. Amen.

The Judge shall come suddenly, and the deeds of all shall be brought to light. In fear, I cry out at the break of day: Holy, holy, holy are You, O God! Through the prayers of the Mother of God, have mercy on me.Lord, have mercy. (12 times)

I give thanks to You, O Holy Trinity. Because of Your great goodness and endless patience, You did not become angry with me, a slothful and sinful being; nor did You destroy me because of my transgressions. But, as always, You have shown Your love for us; and have raised me up as I lay in despair, that I might recite these prayers and sing the praises of Your power. Enlighten the eyes of my understanding, that I may meditate upon Your Words, understand Your Commandments, and accomplish Your Will. Open my mouth that I may sing to You in sincere praise; and that I may proclaim Your Most Holy Name, Father, + Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever and, forever. Amen.

Come, let us adore the King, our God.

Come, let us adore Christ, the King and our God.

Come, let us adore and bow down to the only Lord Jesus Christ, the King and our God.

The Psalm of Repentance (Psalm 50) or another appropriate Psalm is now recited.

PSALM 50:

O God, have mercy on me in the greatness of Your love; in the abundance of Your tender mercies wipe out my offense. Wash me thoroughly from malice and cleanse me from sin; for I am well aware of my malice, and my sins are before me always. It is You alone I have offended, I have done what is evil in Your sight; wherefore, You are just in Your deeds and triumphant in Your judgment. Behold, I was born in iniquities, and in sins my mother conceived me. But You are the Lover of Truth; You have shown me the depths and secrets of Your wisdom. Wash me with hyssop, and I shall be pure; cleanse me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Let me hear sounds of joy and feasting; the bones that were afflicted shall rejoice. Turn Your face away from my offenses, and wipe off all my sins. A spotless heart create in me, O God; renew a steadfast spirit in my breast. Cast me not afar from Your face; take not Your blessed Spirit out of me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and let Your guiding Spirit dwell in me. I will teach Your ways to the sinners, and the wicked shall return to You. Deliver me from blood-guilt, O God, my saving God, and my tongue will joyfully sing Your justice. O Lord, You shall open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise. Had You desired sacrifice, I would have offered it, but You will not be satisfied with whole-burnt offerings. Sacrifice to God is a contrite spirit; a crushed and humbled heart God will not spurn. In Your kindness, O Lord be bountiful to Sion; may the walls of Jerusalem be restored. Then will You delight in just oblation, in sacrifice and whole-burnt offerings. Then shall they offer calves upon Your altar.

NICENE CREED:

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, the only-begotten, born of the Father before all ages. Light of Light, true God of true God; begotten, not made; of one substance with the Father, through Whom all things were made. Who for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and Mary the Virgin, and became man. He was also crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered, and was buried. And He rose again on the third day, according to the Scriptures. And He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father. And He will come again with glory, to judge the living and the dead; and of His kingdom there will be no end. And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, and Giver of Life, Who proceeds from the Father; Who together with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified; Who spoke through the prophets. In one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. I profess one baptism for the remission of sins. I expect the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

PRAYER OF PENANCE:

Remit, pardon, and forgive, O God, our sins committed voluntarily and involuntarily, by word and deed, knowingly and in ignorance, by thought and purpose, by day and night. Forgive all these, for You are gracious and love us all.

ANGELIC SALUTATION:

Hail Mary, Full of Grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the Fruit of thy womb; for thou hast borne Christ, the Savior and Deliverer of our souls.

PRAYERS FOR INTERCESSION:

We fly to your patronage, O Virgin Mother of God. Despise not our prayers in our necessities, but who are alone pure and blessed, deliver us from all danger.

O most glorious ever Virgin Mary, Mother of Christ our God, receive our prayers and offer them to your Son, our God, that He, for your sake, enlighten and save our souls.

PRAYERS TO THE ANGELS AND SAINTS:

All you heavenly powers, holy Angels and Archangels, beseech God for us sinners.

O holy and glorious Apostles, Prophets, Martyrs, and Saints, beseech God for us sinners.

PRAYER OF THE PUBLICAN:

O God, + be merciful to me, a sinner.

O God, + cleanse me of my sins and have mercy on me.

O Lord, + forgive me, for I have sinned without number.

EVENING PRAYERS

Take the opening prayers up to For Thine is the kingdom... Amen.

Have mercy on us, O God, have mercy on us. Since we have no defense, we sinners offer this supplication to You, our Master; have mercy on us.

Glory be to the Father, + and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit:

Lord, have mercy on us; for in You we place our hope. Be not exceedingly angry with us, nor mindful of our transgressions; but look upon us even now with mercy, and deliver us from our enemies. For You are our God, and we are Your people; we are all the work of Your Hands, and we call upon Your Name.

Now and ever, and forever. Amen.

Open unto us the doors of mercy, O blessed Mother of God; that we, who place our trust in you, may not perish; but that through you we be delivered from misfortune. For you are the salvation of all Christians.

Lord, have mercy. (12 times)

O eternal God, and Ruler of all creation, You have allowed me to reach this hour. Forgive the sins I have this day committed by word, deed, or thought. Purify me from every spiritual and physical stain. Grant me to rise from this sleep to glorify You by my deeds throughout the remainder of my life, and that I be victorious over every spiritual and physical enemy which fights against me. Deliver me, O Lord, from all vain thoughts and evil desires. For Thine is the Kingdom, and the Power, and the Glory, Father, + Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever. Amen.

O loving mother of our most gracious King, O pure and blessed Virgin Mary, pour forth into my restless soul the grace of your Son, our God. Lead me by your prayers to salutary deeds, that I might spend the remainder of my life without fault, and attain paradise through you, O Virgin Mother of God. For you are pure and blessed forever.

O Guardian Angel, protector of my soul and body, to your care I have been entrusted by Christ. Obtain for me the forgiveness of the sins committed by me this day. Pray for me, your sinful and unworthy servant, that I may become worthy of the grace and mercy of the Most Holy Trinity and the Mother of our Lord God, Jesus Christ. Amen.

We are yours, O Mother of God. Since you have delivered us from all tribulation, we give thanks to you by dedicating our songs of victory to you, O Saving Champion. In your invincible might, deliver us from all dangers that we may exclaim to you: Hail, Full of Grace!

O most glorious, ever-virgin Mother of Christ our God, offer up our prayers to your Son and our God, so that through you, O Mother of God, He may save our souls. I place all my hope in you, Mother of God. Do not turn away from me, a sinner, for I need your help and intercession. Have mercy on me, for my soul hopes in you.

The Father + is my hope! The Son + is my refuge! And the Holy Spirit + is my protection! O Most Holy Trinity +, glory be to You!

It is truly proper to glorify you, who have borne God; the ever-blessed, immaculate, and the Mother of our God. More honorable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare, more glorious than the Seraphim; who, a virgin, gave birth to God, the Word. You, truly the Mother of God, we magnify.

HYMN OF THE EVENING:

O Joyful Light! Light and Holy Glory of the Father immortal; the heavenly, holy, the blessed One, O Jesus Christ. Now that we have reached the setting of the sun, and see the evening light, we sing to God, Father, + Son, and Holy Spirit. It is fitting at all times to raise a song of praise in measured melody to You, O Son of God, the Giver of Life. Behold, the universe sings Your glory

Prayer to the Virgin

O spotless, unstained, incorruptible, undefiled, pure Virgin, Lady Bride of God, who through your wondrous birth-giving united God the Word with mankind, and linked the fallen nature of our human race with the heavenly; the only hope of the hopeless and the help of the persecuted; the ready support of those who seek refuge in you, and the shelter of all the Christians: do not despise me, the wretched sinner who have defiled myself with shameful thoughts and words and deeds, and through negligence of thought have become slave to the pleasures of life.

But as the Mother of our compassionate God, and a friend of man, have compassion on me the sinner and prodigal, and accept this prayer from my impure lips; and using your motherly standing, entreat your Son and our Master and Lord to open unto me the depths of his loving goodness and, overlooking my innumerable faults, to return me to repentance and make me a worthy servant of his commandments.

Stand by me forever; in this life as a merciful and compassionate and good and lovingly warm protector and helper, by repulsing the assaults of the adversary and leading me toward salvation; and at the time of my death, by embracing my miserable soul and driving far away from it the dark fares of the evil demons; and at the awesome day of judgment by redeeming me from eternal hell, and proclaiming me an heir of the ineffable glory of your Son and our God.

May I enjoy such fate, my Lady, most-holy Theotokos, through your intercession and protection; through the grace and love for mankind of your only begotten Son, our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ. To whom belong all glory, honor and worship, together with his beginningless Father, and the all holy and good and life giving Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Prayer to our Lord Jesus Christ

And grant to us, Master, as we depart for sleep, rest of body and soul, and preserve us from the gloomy slumber of sin, and from every dark and nocturnal pleasure. Arrest the drives of passion; extinguish the burning arrows of the Evil One which insidiously fly in our direction; suppress the rebellions of our flesh, and calm our every earthly and material thought. And grant to us, O God, alert mind, prudent thinking, sober heart, light sleep free of any satanic fantasy. Awaken us at the time of prayer rooted in your commandments and having unbroken within us the remembrance of your ordinances. Grant that we may sing your glory through the night by praising and blessing and glorifying your most honorable and majestic name, of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Final Prayer

Lord, forgive those who hate us and those who wrong us; do good to those who do good; to our brethren and relatives, grant their requests for salvation and eternal life; visit the sick and grant them healing; govern those at sea; accompany the travelers; to those who serve us and those who help us grant remission of sins; forgive those who have asked us to pray for them and have mercy on them according to Your great mercy.

Remember, Lord, all our fathers and brethren departed this life and rest them where the light of Your face shines.  Remember, Lord, our brethren, the captives, and spare them from every tribulation. Remember, Lord those who labor and bring forth fruit in Your holy Churches, and grant to them all requests for salvation and eternal life. Remember us, as well, Lord, Your humble and sinful servants and illumine our mind with the light of your knowledge and guide us in the way of Your commandments; through the intercessions of Your most sacred Mother, our Lady Theotokos and ever virgin Mary, and all Your Saints; for You are blessed unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Contents

1.Septuagesima Sunday

2.Monday after Septuagesima

3.Tuesday after Septuagesima

4.Wednesday after Septuagesima

5.Thursday after Septuagesima

6.Friday after Septuagesima

7.Saturday after Septuagesima

8.Sexagesima Sunday

9.Monday after Sexagesima

10.Tuesday after Sexagesima

11.Wednesday after Sexagesima

12.Thursday after Sexagesima

13.Friday after Sexagesima

14.Saturday after Sexagesima

15.Quinquagesima Sunday

16.Monday after Quinquagesima

17.Tuesday after Quinquagesima

18.Ash Wednesday

19.Thursday after Quinquagesima

20.Friday after Quinquagesima

21.Saturday After Quinquagesima

22.First Sunday of Lent

23.Monday -- First Week of Lent

24.Tuesday -- First Week of Lent

25.Wednesday -- First Week of Lent

26.Thursday -- First Week of Lent

27.Friday -- First Week of Lent

28.Saturday -- First Week of Lent

29.Second Sunday of Lent

30.Monday -- Second Week of Lent

31.Tuesday — Second Week of Lent

32.Wednesday -- Second Week of Lent

33.Thursday -- Second Week of Lent

34.Friday -- Second Week of Lent

35.Saturday -- Second Week of Lent

36.Third Sunday of Lent

37.Monday -- Third Week of Lent

38.Tuesday -- Third Week of Lent

39.Wednesday--Third Sunday after Lent

40.Thursday--Third Week of Lent

41.Friday--Third Week of Lent

42.Saturday--Third Week of Lent

43.Fourth Sunday of Lent

44.Monday--Fourth Week of Lent

45.Tuesday--Fourth Week of Lent

46.Wednesday--Fourth Week of Lent

47.Thursday--Fourth Week of Lent

48.The Feast of St. Patrick, March 17

49.Saturday--Fourth Week of Lent

50.Passion Sunday

51.The Feast of St. Joseph (March 19th)

52.Tuesday in Passion Week

53.Wednesday of Passion Week

54.Feast of the Annunciation (March 25)

55.Friday in Passion Week

56.Saturday in Passion Week

57.Palm Sunday

58.Monday in Holy Week

59.Tuesday in Holy Week

60.Wednesday in Holy Week

61.Holy Thursday

62.Good Friday

63.Holy Saturday

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Septuagesima Sunday

Morning Meditation

HE SENT THEM INTO HIS VINEYARD. (Gospel of Sunday Matthew x. 1-16).

The Lord's vines are our souls which He has given us to cultivate by good works that one day we may be admitted into eternal glory. Many live as if they were never to die, or as if they had not to give to God an account of their lives, as if there were no Heaven and no hell. They believe but they do not reflect. They take all possible care of worldly affairs but attend not to the salvation of their souls. O my God, what shall my lot be? If I may be lost, why do I not embrace such a life as may secure for me eternal life?

I.

St. Paul says: We entreat you, brethren ... that you do your own business (1 Thessalonians iv. 10). A greater number of people in the world are attentive to the business of this world. What diligence do they not employ to gain a lawsuit or a good position! How many means are adopted -- how many measures taken! They neither eat nor sleep. And what efforts do they make to save their souls? All blush at being told that they neglect their family affairs, and how few are ashamed to neglect the salvation of their souls! Brethren, says St. Paul, we entreat you that you do your own business; that is, the business of your eternal salvation.

The trifles of children, says St. Bernard, are called trifles, but the trifles of men are called business, -- and for these trifles many lose their souls. If in one worldly transaction you suffer a loss, you may repair it in another; but if you die in enmity with God, and lose your soul, how can you repair the loss? What exchange shall a man give for his soul? (Matthew xvi. 26). To those who neglect the care of salvation, St. Eucherius says: If thou dost not believe thy Creator how precious thou art, interrogate thy Redeemer. If, from being created by God to His own image, you do not comprehend the value of your soul, learn it from Jesus Christ Who has redeemed you with His own Blood. You were not redeemed with corruptible things as gold or silver ... but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb unspotted and undefiled (1 Peter i. 18).

God, therefore, sets a high value on your soul. Such is its value in the estimation of Satan, that, to become master of it, he sleeps not night or day, but is continually going about seeking to make it his own. Hence St. Augustine exclaims: The enemy sleeps not, and dost thou sleep? The enemy is always awake to injure you, and you slumber. Pope Benedict XII being asked by a prince for a favor he could not conscientiously grant, said to the ambassador: Tell the prince that if I had two souls, I might be able to lose one of them to please him; but, since I have only one, I cannot consent to lose it. Thus, he refused the favor the prince sought from him.

O God, what shall my lot be? Shall I be saved, or shall I be lost? I may be either saved or lost! And if I may be lost, why do I not embrace such a life as may secure for me life eternal? O Jesus, Thou didst die to save me; yet I have been lost as often as I have lost Thee, my sovereign Good! Suffer me not to lose Thee anymore.

II.

Remember that, if you save your soul, your failure in every worldly transaction will be but of little consequence: for when you are saved, you shall enjoy complete happiness for all eternity. But if you lose your soul, what will it profit you to have enjoyed all the riches, honors and amusements of this world? For when you lose your soul, all is lost. What doth it profit a man if he gain the whole world, and suffer the loss of his own soul (Matthew xvi. 26). By this maxim St. Ignatius of Loyola drew many souls to God, and among them the soul of St. Francis Xavier who was then at Paris and devoted his attention to the acquirement of worldly goods. One day St. Ignatius said to him: Francis, whom do you serve? You serve the world, a traitor that promises but does not perform. And if it should fulfil all its promises, how long do its goods last? Can they last longer than this life? And after death, what will they profit you if you shall not have saved your soul? He then reminded Francis of the maxim of the Gospel: What doth it profit a man, if he gain the whole world and suffer the loss of his own soul?

But one thing is necessary! (Luke x. 42). It is not necessary to become rich on this earth to acquire honors and dignities; but it is necessary to save our souls; because unless we gain Heaven we shall be condemned to hell: there is no middle place: we must be either saved or damned. God has not created us for this earth; neither does He preserve our lives here on earth that we may become rich and enjoy amusements. And the end life everlasting (Romans vi. 22). He has created us, and preserved us, so that we may acquire eternal glory.

O Jesus, my Redeemer, cast me not away from Thy face as I have deserved! I am indeed a sinner; but I grieve from the bottom of my heart for having offended Thy infinite goodness. Hitherto I have despised Thee, but now I love Thee above all things. Henceforth Thou alone shalt be my only Good, my only Love. Have pity on a sinner who penitently casts himself at Thy feet, and desires to love Thee. If I have grievously offended Thee, I now ardently desire to love Thee. What would have become of me, if Thou hadst called me out of life when I had lost Thy grace and favor? Since Thou, O Lord, hast shown so much mercy to me, grant me grace to become a Saint.

Spiritual Reading

WHY STAND YE HERE ALL THE DAY IDLE? (Gospel of Sunday)

St. Philip Neri used to say that Heaven is not for sluggards, and that he who does not seek the salvation of his soul above all things is a fool. If on this earth there were two classes of people, one mortal, and the other immortal, and if the former saw the latter entirely devoted to the acquisition of earthly goods, would they not exclaim: O fools that you are! You have it in your power to secure the immense and eternal goods of Paradise, and you lose your time in procuring the miserable goods of this earth, which shall end at death. And for these you expose yourselves to the danger of the eternal torments of hell! Leave to us mortals, for whom all shall end at death, the care of these earthly things. But we are all immortal, and each of us shall be eternally happy or eternally miserable in the next life.

But the misfortune is, the greater part of mankind is solicitous for the present and never thinks of the future. Oh, that they would be wise and would understand, and would provide for their last end! (Deuteronomy xxxii. 29). Oh! that they knew how to detach themselves from present goods which last but a short time, and to provide for eternity -- where there will be a never-ending reign in Heaven, or never-ending slavery in hell. St. Philip Neri, conversing one day with Francis Zazzera, a young man of talent who expected to make a fortune in the world, said to him: You will realize a great fortune; you will be a prelate, afterwards a Cardinal, and in the end, perhaps, Pope! But what must follow? What must follow? Go, my son, think of these words. The young man departed, and after meditating on the words: What must follow? What must follow? he renounced his prospects in this world and gave himself entirely to God. He entered the Congregation of St. Philip and died a holy death.

The fashion of this world passes away (1 Corinthians vii. 31). On this passage, Cornelius a Lapide says that the world is as it were a stage. Happy the man who acts his part well by saving his soul. But if he shall have spent his life in the acquisition of riches and worldly honors, he shall justly be called a fool; and at the hour of death, he shall earn the reproach addressed to the rich man in the Gospel: Fool, this night do they require thy soul of thee; and whose shall these things be which thou hast provided? (Luke xii. 20). In explaining the words, they require, Toletus says, that the Lord has given us our souls that we may guard them against the assaults of our enemies; and that at death the Angel will come to demand them of us and present them at the tribunal of Jesus Christ. But if we shall have lost our souls by attending only to the acquisition of earthly possessions, these shall belong to us no longer; they shall pass to other hands: and what shall then become of our souls?

Poor worldlings! Of all the riches they have acquired, of all the pomps they displayed in this life, what shall they find at death? They have slept their sleep: and all the men of riches have found nothing in their hands (Psalm lxxv. 6). The dream of this present life shall be over at death, and they shall have acquired nothing for eternity. Ask the many great men of this earth -- the princes and emperors who during life abounded in riches, honors, and pleasures, and are at this moment in hell -- ask them what now remains of all the riches they possessed in this world! They answer with tears: Nothing! Nothing! And of so many honors enjoyed -- of so many past pleasures -- of so many pomps and triumphs, ask them what now remains! They answer with howling: Nothing! Nothing!

Justly, then, has St. Francis Xavier said, that in the world there is but one good and one evil. The one good is the salvation of our souls; the one evil is losing them. Hence David said: One thing I have asked of the Lord, this I will seek after -- that I may dwell in the house of the Lord (Psalm xxvi. 4). One thing only have I sought, and will forever seek, from God -- that He may grant me the grace to save my soul; for, if I save my soul, all is safe; if I lose it, all is lost forever!

Evening Meditation

THE LORD MY REFUGE AND MY DELIVERER

I.

The groans of death surrounded me, and the sorrows of hell encompassed me, and in my affliction I called upon the Lord and he heard my voice... The Lord is my refuge and my deliverer (Introit of Mass. Psalm xvii).

In your desolation, and when creatures are unable to comfort you, have recourse to your Creator and say to Him: Lord, men have only words for me. My friends are full of words! Verbosi amici mei! (Job xvi. 21). They cannot comfort me; neither do I desire to be comforted by them: Thou art all my hope, all my love. Do Thou help me." Your God loves you more than you can love yourself, what, then, should you fear? O thou of little faith why didst thou doubt? (Matthew xiv. 31).

God has declared that He shows favor towards those who put their confidence in Him. He is the protector of all that trust in him (Psalm xvii. 31). Whenever you doubt about our Lord hearing your prayer represent to yourself that He is chiding you as He did St. Peter, saying: O thou of little faith, why didst thou doubt? (Matthew xiv. 31). Why dost thou doubt My hearing thee, knowing as thou dost the promise I have made to grant the requests of every one that prays to Me?

And because God is willing to grant our requests it is His will that we believe that He certainly will grant them whenever we ask Him for graces: All things whatsoever you ask, when ye pray, believe that you shall receive, and they shall come unto you (Mark xi. 24). Observe the words, believe that you shall receive; for they show that we must ask God for graces with a sure, unhesitating confidence that we shall receive them, as St. James also exhorts us: But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering (James i. 6). In dealing with our God Who is all goodness, have great confidence, and rid yourself of everything like sadness. He who serves God and is sad, instead of honoring Him, treats Him rather with dishonor. St. Bernard tells us that he wrongs God who represents Him to himself as harsh and severe; being, as He is, Goodness and Mercy Itself. How can you entertain a doubt, says the Saint, of Jesus pardoning your sins, when He has affixed them to the Cross whereon, He died for you, with the very nails by which His own hands were pierced?

God declares that His delights are to be with us: My delights are to be with the children of men (Proverbs viii. 31). If, then, it is God's delight to treat with us, it is only just that all our delights should consist in treating with Him; and this thought should give us courage to treat with God with every confidence, endeavoring to spend all that remains of life to us with our God Who loves us so much, and in Whose company we hope to be in Heaven for all eternity.

O my crucified Jesus, have pity upon me! I deserve every kind of suffering for such great sins as mine have been. However disconsolate, however abandoned by Thee, I protest it is my will ever to love Thee and bless Thee. Provided Thou dost not deprive me of the grace to love Thee, deal with me as Thou pleases. Lord, take not away Thyself from me, but take all else besides as may seem good in Thy sight. Help Thy servant whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy Precious Blood.

II.

Let us, then, treat Him with all confidence and love, as our most dear and affectionate Friend Who loves us more than any other. Alas! some souls treat God as if He were a tyrant, from whose subjects only reserve and fear are required; and consequently, they are apprehensive that, at every word inconsiderately spoken, at every thought which crosses their mind, God is angry with them, and disposed to cast them into hell. No; God does not take His grace away from us except when we knowingly and deliberately despise Him and turn our backs upon Him. And when, by some venial fault we slightly offend Him, He is certainly displeased by it, but does not therefore take from us the love which He bears towards us; whence by an act of contrition or of love, He is at once appeased. His infinite Majesty may justly claim all reverence and self-abasement from us; but He is better pleased that the souls that love Him should treat Him with loving confidence rather than with timid servility. So do not treat God as a tyrant. Recall to your mind the graces which He has bestowed upon you, even after the offences and acts of ingratitude which you have committed against Him; recollect the loving treatment which He has dealt out towards you, in order to extricate you from the disorders of your past life, and the extraordinary lights He has given you, by means of which He has so often called you to His holy love; and so treat Him from this day forth with great confidence and affection, as the dearest object of your love.

O my Jesus, I wish to be all Thine own, cost me what it may. I wish to love Thee with all my strength, but what can I do? Thy Blood is my hope. O Mary, Mother of God, my refuge, neglect not to pray for me in my tribulations. In the Blood of Jesus Christ, and then in thy prayers do I place my eternal salvation. In thee, O Lady have I hoped; I shall not be confounded forever. Obtain for me the grace ever to love my God in life and in eternity. I ask for nothing more.

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Monday after Septuagesima

Morning Meditation

THE LOVE OF GOD

I. - THE LOVE AND GOODNESS OF GOD TOWARDS US

As long as God has been God, He has loved us. As long as He has loved Himself, He has loved us. Let us, therefore, love God because God hath first loved us (1 John iv. 10).

I.

Consider that God deserves your love, because He loved you before you loved Him, and because He has been the first to love you. I have loved thee with an everlasting love (Jer. xxxi. 3). Your parents have been the first to love you on this earth; but they have loved you only since they have known you. Before your father or your mother came into this world, God loved you: even before the world was created, He loved you. And how long before the creation of the world did God love you? Perhaps a thousand years, or a thousand ages? It is useless to count years or ages; God has loved you from eternity. I have loved thee with everlasting love; therefore, have I drawn thee, taking pity on thee (Jeremiah xxxi. 3). In a word, if He has been God, He has loved you; as long as He has loved Himself, He has loved you. Hence the holy virgin, St. Agnes, had reason to say: I am prevented by another Lover. When the world and creatures sought her love, she answered: No, I cannot love you. My God has been the first to love me; it is but just, then, that I should consecrate all my love to Him alone.

Thus, God has loved you from eternity, and through pure love has taken you from among so many men whom He could create; He has given you existence and has placed you in the world. For the love of you God has created so many other beautiful creatures, that they might serve you, and remind you of the love He has borne to you, and of the love you owe to Him. Heaven and earth, says St. Augustine, tell me to love Thee. When the Saint looked at the sun, the moon, the stars, the mountains, the rivers, they appeared to him to speak, and say: Augustine, love your God; for He has created us for you, that you might love Him. The Abbot de Rance, Founder of La Trappe, when he saw a hill, a fountain, or a flower, would say that all these creatures upbraided him with ingratitude to God. In holding a flower or fruit in her hand, St. Mary Magdalen de Pazzi felt her heart wounded as it were by a dart of Divine love, and would say within herself: Then, my God has from eternity thought of creating this flower or fruit, that I might love Him.

O sovereign Lord of Heaven and earth, infinite Good, infinite Majesty, who hast loved men so tenderly, how does it happen that Thou art so much despised by them? But among these men, Thou, O my God, hast loved me in a particular manner, and hast bestowed on me special graces which Thou hast not given to so many others. And I have despised Thee more than others. I prostrate myself at Thy feet; O Jesus, my Savior, Cast me not away from thy face! (Psalm1. 13). I deserve to be cast off on account of my ingratitude to Thee. But Thou hast said that Thou wilt not reject a penitent soul that returns to Thee. Him that cometh to me, I will not cast out (John vi. 37).

II.

Consider, moreover, the special love God has shown to you in allowing you to be born in a Christian country, and in the bosom of the true Church. How many are born among idolaters, Jews, Mohammedans, or heretics, and are all lost! The number of those who have the happiness of being born in a country where the true Faith prevails, is small, compared with the rest of mankind; and He has chosen you to be one of that small number. Oh, what an infinite gift is the gift of Faith! How many millions are deprived of the Sacraments, of sermons, of the examples of good companions, and of all the other helps to salvation which are found in the true Church! And God is resolved to give all these great helps to you without any merit on your part, and even with a foreknowledge of your demerits; for when He thought of creating you, and bestowing these graces upon you, He foresaw the insults you would offer to Him.

My Jesus, I am sorry for having offended Thee. Hitherto I have not known Thee. I now acknowledge Thee for my Lord and Redeemer, who hast died to save me and to be loved by me. When, O my Jesus, shall I cease to be ungrateful to Thee? When shall I begin truly to love Thee with true love? Behold, I this day resolve to love Thee with my whole heart, and to love nothing but Thee. O infinite Goodness, I adore Thee for all those who do not adore Thee, and I love Thee for all who do not love Thee. I believe in Thee, I hope in Thee, I love Thee, and offer my whole being to Thee. Assist me by Thy grace; Thou knowest my weakness. But if Thou didst bestow so many graces upon me when I neither loved nor desired to love Thee, how much greater graces should I hope for from Thy mercy now that I love Thee and desire only to love Thee! My Lord, give me Thy love, but a fervent love which will make me forget all creatures: a strong love, which will make me conquer all difficulties to please Thee; a constant love, which will never be dissolved between me and Thee. I hope for all graces through Thy merits, O my Jesus. And I hope for them through thy intercession, O my Mother Mary.

Spiritual Reading

THE PRACTICE OF THE CHRISTIAN VIRTUES

V. - PATIENCE

St. James says that Patience is the perfect work of a soul: Patience hath a perfect work (James i. 4). It is by Patience that we are to obtain Heaven. This world is the place for meriting, and hence not a place of repose, but of labor and suffering. For this end God has given us life, that by patience we may obtain the glory of Heaven. In this world all must have their sufferings: he who suffers with patience suffers less, and is saved; he who suffers with impatience, suffers more, and is lost. Our Lord does not send us crosses that we may be lost, as certain impatient souls would tell us, but that we may be saved and merit greater glory in Heaven. Sorrows, adversities, and all other tribulations received with patience, become the most beautiful jewels in our heavenly crown. When, therefore, we are in affliction, let us take comfort and thank God for them, for it is a sign that God desires to save us. He chastises us in this life, in which chastisements are light and short, that He may spare us in the next, in which chastisements are grievous and eternal. Unhappy the sinner who is prosperous in this life! It is a sign that God reserves for him an eternal chastisement.

St. Mary Magdalen de Pazzi says: Pain, however great, becomes sweet when we look upon Jesus Christ on the Cross. St. Joseph Calasantius adds: He gains not Jesus Christ who suffers not for Jesus Christ. He, then, who loves Jesus Christ, supports with patience all external crosses, infirmities, pains, poverty, dishonor, loss of parents and friends; and all interior crosses, anguish, weariness, temptations, and desolation of spirit; and suffers all in peace. On the contrary, what does he gain, who, in tribulations, becomes impatient and angry? He does but increase his sufferings and lays up for himself greater sufferings for another life. St. Teresa writes: The cross is felt by those who drag it by compulsion: but not by those who embrace it with a good will. Hence, St. Philip Neri says: In this world there is no purgatory, but a heaven or a hell: heaven for those who patiently support tribulations, and hell for those who do not. To proceed to the practice.

First -- Patience must be practiced in sickness. The time of illness tests the spirit of a man whether it be gold or lead. Some are all devotion and happiness when in good health; but when visited by some illness they lose patience, complain of everything, and give themselves up to melancholy, and commit a thousand other faults. The gold turns out to be lead! St. Joseph Calasantius said: If the sick were patient, we should hear no more complaints. Some complain and say: But as long as I am in this state, I cannot go to church, nor to Communion, nor to Mass; in short, I can do nothing. You say you can do nothing. You do everything when you do the will of God. Tell me, why do you want to do those things you mention? Is it to give pleasure to God? This is the pleasure of God, that you should embrace with patience all you have to endure and should leave alone everything else that you wish to do. God is served, writes St. Francis de Sales, more by suffering for Him than by working for Him.

If in our sickness there be danger of death, then especially must we accept it with all patience, being willing to die should the end of our life be really at hand. Neither let us speak thus: But I am not now prepared; I should like to live a little longer to do penance for my sins. And how do you know that if you were to live longer, you would do penance and not fall into greater sins? How many there are who, after recovering from some mortal illness, became worse than they were before, and were lost; while, perhaps, if they had died then, they would have been saved! If it is the will of God that you should leave this world, unite yourself to His holy will, and thank Him for giving you the help of the holy Sacraments, and accept death with tranquility, abandoning yourself into the arms of His mercy. This compliance with the Divine will, by accepting death, will be sufficient to insure your eternal salvation.

In the second place, we must accept also with patience the death of relations and friends. Some on the death of a relation are so inconsolable, that they leave off saying their prayers, frequenting the Sacraments, and all their devotions. Such a one goes so far as even to be angry with God and to say: Lord, why hast Thou done it! What rashness this is! Tell me, what does all your grief profit you? Do you perhaps think to give pleasure to the dead friend? No. You displease both him and God. He desires that through his death you become more united to God and pray for him if he be in Purgatory.

Evening Meditation

PRAYER

II. - ITS NECESSITY

I.

Let us reflect on the necessity of prayer. St. Chrysostom says that as the body without the soul is dead, so the soul without prayer is dead. He also teaches that as water is necessary for plants, so is prayer necessary to save us from perdition. God wills that all men should be saved (1 Timothy ii. 4) -- and wills not that anyone be lost. The Lord... dealeth patiently for your sake, not wishing that anyone should perish, but that all should return to penance (2 Peter iii. 9). But He also wishes that we ask Him for the graces necessary for salvation. For on the one hand, it is impossible for us to observe the Divine commands and save our souls without the actual assistance of God; and on the other, God will not, ordinarily speaking, give us His graces unless we ask them from Him. Hence the Holy Council of Trent has declared that God has not commanded impossibilities; because He either gives us the proximate and actual grace to fulfil His precepts, or He gives us the grace to ask Him for this actual assistance. St. Augustine teaches that God gives without prayer the first graces, such as vocation to the Faith and to repentance; but all other graces, and particularly the gift of perseverance, He gives only to those who ask them. Hence theologians teach, that for adults, prayer is necessary as a means of salvation; so that, without prayers, it is impossible